INTRODUCTION Achalasia cardia is characterized by failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax in response to swallowing and by an absence of peristalsis in the esophageal body. Absence of a gastric air bubble is a well known radiological finding. Pneumatic balloon dilatation results in reappearance of the gastric bubble. CASE PRESENTATION We report the case of a 43-year-old Indian man ...

Achalasia cardia (AC) is a neurodegenerative disease which leads to loss of inhibitory myenteric neurons. This implies that, with the currently available treatment options, we offer palliation but not cure to these patients. Pneumatic balloon dilatation (PBD) has been the only time‐tested endoscopic modality for the management of AC until recently. However, the requirement of repeated dilatatio...

CONTEXT Pneumatic dilatation and surgical (Heller) myotomy are the 2 principal methods for treatment of achalasia. There are no population-based studies comparing outcomes of these 2 treatments in typical practice settings. OBJECTIVE To compare the outcomes of pneumatic dilatation and surgical myotomy for achalasia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective longitudinal study using li...

Secondary achalasia due to submucosal invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a very rare condition. Here, we report a case of secondary achalasia diagnosed after distal esophagectomy, initially mistaken as primary achalasia. A 51-year-old man presented with progressive dysphagia for 2 months and mild weight loss. A barium swallow study, endoscopy, and manometry showed typical f...

PATIENT Female, 82 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Achalasia Symptoms: Nocturnal regurgtation • weight loss MEDICATION - Clinical Procedure: Esophageal stenting Specialty: Gastroenterology • Hepatology Objective: Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment. BACKGROUND Pneumatic dilatation is one of the most effective methods for treating achalasia. Esophageal perforation is the most serious complication aft...

Balloon dilatation angioplasty was successfully performed in five patients (ages 18 months to 17 years) with discrete aortic coarctation. The catheter size was No. 8F or 9F. Selection of balloon diameter was based on angiographic measurements of the aorta determined proximal and distal to the coarctation site. A 10 sec inflation-deflation cycle at 6 to 8 atmospheres (90 to 120 psi) was performe...